Review: Yeti ASR Carbon is One Rowdy XC Bike

When Yeti left the XC full-suspension market, they moved into the trail and enduro scene with unique and heralded suspension designs. The SB66 led to the SB95, which then led them to the new ASR6 and ASR5 enduro bikes. All the while, the XC crowd remained on the outside looking in. Now, Yeti has welcomed the Lycra-clad crowd with the new ASR Carbon XC/Trail platform.

2015 Yeti ASR Carbon X01 Features:

High-modulus carbon frameset

Modified single-pivot suspension with 102mm travel

Carbon fiber suspension linkage

Enduro max bearings on pivot points

Chainslap and downtube guards

Stealth dropper post cable routing

Internal routing for shifter

Two water bottle mounts

SRAM X01/X1 drivetrain

Shimano XT brakes

Stan’s Crest wheelset

XS and S rolls on 27.5″ wheels

M, L and XL roll on 29″ wheels

Colors: Turquoise or Black

Weight: 4.2 lbs (you read that right)

Price: $5799 (X01 kit complete — as tested)

The ASRc features classic Yeti lines and suspension design.

ASRc: A Lightweight Rocket

When Yeti decided to re-enter the full-suspension cross country market, they did so with surgical precision. With two newfangled suspension designs at their disposal, they instead opted for their proven single pivot design — a design that has been a Yeti staple for as long as I can remember. The result is a classic Yeti feel in a svelte package.

With just 102mm of rear wheel travel, it’s a challenge to make it both efficient and fun at the same time, but Yeti firmly believes the ASRc is a capable XC weapon with the soul of an enduro machine. My testing has proven that largely to be true.

The test build I’ve been riding is the $5799 full X01 kit. Honestly, this build has about everything anyone could ever want — 1×11 drivetrain, carbon bars, capable tubeless wheels — all in a wicked-light 23.6 lb package. What’s amazing about the weight of the X01 trim is that it doesn’t feature nutty expensive components. Every part is trail-worthy for years of performance — not purpose-built just for XC racing. My guess is that this will be the most popular component spec in the ASRc.

Impeccable Trail Manners

With epic fall singletrack at my disposal, the ASRc has been pretty much locked-and-loaded on the back of my Subaru and ridden every day since arriving. Partly because the impending winter snow and cold was looming, but mostly because I just couldn’t get enough of it. Compared to the Tallboy CC, the ASR Carbon is a similar bike in many ways, but differs in the approach.

Since the ASRc uses a modified single-pivot suspension design, it relies more on the shock to provide much of the ride characteristics. I settled in on a little more sag than may be recommended (about 35-40%) and found it to be extremely smooth and efficient in all conditions in both Trail and Descend modes. Most of the time, I left the Fox Float CTD in Trail mode. This made for the best of all worlds, in my experience. I could climb with the most traction and efficiency and descend quite smoothly.

At such a light weight and with the efficient suspension design, the ASR Carbon has proven fast on rolling climbs and mixed uphill/downhill tracks. Particularly, the suspension begs to be pushed hard. Standing climbs on low-angle pitches ate up vert in a jiffy and helped me knock off some longstanding PR’s. Many full-suspension bikes don’t perform well while standing and sprinting — the ASRc is not one of those. For rolling climbs, I relished the bike’s ability to respond when standing and sprinting.

I did notice a little more tire spinning than I’d like on loose, steeper terrain, but with rolling climbs this bike simply flies both in and out of the saddle. And, even without a negative rise stem, the short head tube enabled a low riding position and wander-free climbing. Handling was responsive and predictable at all speeds too.

Additionally, the low bottom bracket did require careful maneuvering in rocky terrain to avoid pedal strikes. In fact, I destroyed one of my trusty Crank Brothers Candy pedals pedaling through a rock-filled corner.

Singletrack slaying in Lambert Park, UT.

Descends on Rails

As mentioned, compared to the Santa Cruz Tallboy, the Yeti ASR Carbon is noticeably less plush. Don’t get me wrong, it absorbs trail chatter really well, but the VPP design is something of a wonder in that regard. While the ASRc may not be quite as plush, it makes up for it in absolute descending confidence and flick-ability.

Yeti has perfected the geometry required for fun-ness and that prowess is on full display with this bike. It blurs categories in ways only a Yeti can.

On rough, technical terrain, the ASRc holds a line with confidence. I have been able to plow through rough stuff carrying more speed than I thought possible. While it may not be the plushest ride in the category, it plows through anything and holds a line like glue. On fast, smooth descents, this bike simply whips around and responds in droves just blowing through the rough stuff.

Let me clarify that while the ASR Carbon may not be the cushiest ride on rough terrain, it does a darn fine job of maintaining the right balance between terrain absorption and responsiveness.

Even when pushed hard, I couldn’t faze this bike. Handling remained superb with all the classic Yeti goodness shining through with every sweeping turn, rock garden and winding singletrack I rode. Airtime is just as fun as I thoroughly enjoyed this bike on the local flow trails.

While the Shimano XT brakes are decidedly on/off in nature, I appreciated the ability to make pinpoint direction changes. Stopping on a dime, I could always re-direct my line with ease. The remaining parts spec has performed flawlessly without so much as a hiccup. Like I always say, invisible parts are the best — they just plain work.

A note on size: I’ve been riding the Medium frame. At 5′ 10″ that puts me right on the border between sizes. When that’s the case, I typically prefer to size down for a more nimble ride and that has worked well here.

The Good

Unbelievably light (23.6 lbs, as shown with a 4.2 lb frame)

Delivers “point it” confidence

Corners on rails

Lateral stiffness results in instant response

Awesome platform for standing sprints

Simple, durable suspension design

Super-efficient climber

X01 kit is the perfect match

Shimano XT brakes have tons of power

Excellent mix of brand name bits

Handling feels natural at all speeds — loves to go fast

The Bad

Rear suspension not as smooth as other suspension designs

XT brakes are pretty much on/off with little modulation

A standard water bottle just barely fits with a side-mount cage (but it fits)

Low bottom bracket requires careful pedaling in rocky terrain.

The Bottom Line: Yeti ASR Carbon

The all-new ASRc is a boss on the trails. I’ll echo the sentiments of other riders in that this bike blurs lines between XC and trail. I like to call this kind of bike a pure mountain bike’s mountain bike. I’d have no problems riding this bike day-in and day-out on every type of terrain — all while grinning from ear-to-ear. Yup, it’s that good.

The Verdict

9.2Oh Baby

Yeti has perfected the single-pivot suspension design and the ASR Carbon is one of the best bikes I've ever swung a leg over. It is wicked-light, fast and fun -- particularly on the downhill. You can't go wrong with this bike.

Handling10

Climbing8

Descending10

Pedaling Efficiency9

Fun Factor10

Value8

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About Author

A Seattle native, Jason developed a love for the outdoors and a thing for mountains. That infatuation continues as he founded this site in 1999 --sharing his love of road biking, mountain biking, trail running and skiing. That passion is channeled into every article or gear review he writes. Utah's Wasatch Mountains are his playground.

Yes, I have had both the 2015 Tallboy 2 and the Yeti ASRc in for head-to-head competition. Honestly, it’s a real toss-up between the two. After doing some Strava analysis, both bikes have traded PR’s over the past 6 weeks.

The ASRc gets an unfair weight advantage since it has a simple suspension design. It’s well over a pound lighter than the Tallboy build.

As far as climbing faster, it really depends on the terrain. From my back-of-the-napkin analysis, the Yeti climbs faster on more mellow climbs. When the terrain gets steep and more technical, the Tallboy wins out. I’m consistently getting faster downhill times on the Yeti, but not by a ton.

You can’t go wrong with either bike, but at this point, I’m going to keep the ASRc around awhile longer — it’s that good.

This bike is on my short list of two, the other is the 2015 Orbea Oiz. I was curious if you could give me a seat of the pants comparison. I’m a bit concerned that I’d be loosing out on too much efficiency with the Yeti. Unfortunately, there’s no place for me to test the Yeti.

The Yeti is way fast both uphill and down, but does concede a little on steeper ascents. The Oiz offers pretty much the same suspension design, but no out-of-the-box 120mm fork options or 1×11 drivetrains.

It all depends on what you’re looking for as the Oiz is Shimano only and 100mm front-and-rear. It will likely not lose any efficiency to the Oiz, but it will likely descend faster due to the 120mm fork up front.

I should have an Oiz in for review, but it won’t be until spring. If you can wait… hang tight. Otherwise, the ASRc is one heck of a bike.

I’m coming from a xc background, and am looking at the ASR-c, SCTBc and Ibis Ripley. I tend to ride dirt roads to J-Ranch/Park City style terrain(ie, pretty smooth single track with some rock/roots here and there). One concern with the Yeti is the single pivot when out of the saddle. Any thought after riding all these awesome bikes for a while? Thanks in advance, RT

Each of those bikes is absolutely fantastic. For the terrain you’re riding, I’d go with the ASRc or the Tallboy. I love, love, love the Ripley, but just wish it was a 100mm travel bike.

There are several sections of Corner Canyon where I found myself standing on the ASRc and climbing full gas. Yes, it’s a single pivot, but Yeti knows how to build it just right. It is wicked light and amazingly fun.

Realistically, though, you would love any of those three bikes. If it were me, I’d go with the Yeti because it is lighter and a simpler design.

Great reviews as always… After reading your original Tallboy review, I was convinced that was the way to go… until I read the recent Yeti review. Then I knew it was time to demo some bikes, which tends to be hard to time it right with both these brands. Fortunately Santa Cruz recently made a pass in my town and I had the opp to jump on Tallboy 2 with 2016 Fox and Enve rims. All I can say is AWESOME! Left the shocks in Open mode all day and never thought twice about switching. The VPP was extremely efficient on the climbs and fun as heck on the descents. Like you said in your review, VPP is just provides amazing traction on the climbs. Definitely leaning Tallboy, overall it has everything that I’m looking for. Hopefully get a chance to jump on a ASRC soon, but still on the fence with a single pivot design. 2016 Fox shocks are the real deal, maybe that might be a game changer for the ASRC.

The Tallboy 2 is all kinds of epic and I can’t imagine the improvements with the 2016 Fox lineup to boot! I’ll say that the ASRC is one fantastic bike as well. You can’t go wrong with either one, but the Yeti will always win the lowest weight battle while retaining that classic Yeti feel. That said, the Tallboy will be just a bit smoother both up and down.